Am I a candidate for Buccal fat removal, or are these jowls? 31 years old (photos)

Question

I've had protruding fat pads around the lower half of my face, especially pronounced when I smile and more pronounced on my left side, ever since I can remember. I'm a small size 8 so very thin already.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

Visible signs of mild aging usually start showing up once we turn into the 30s. As we start to age the soft tissues of the mid face start to sag, thus creating fulness of the lower face at the level of the jaw line ( this is called jowls).  Additionally, if excess of lower fat is present, this physical finding could be more noticeable.Buccal fat pad is a plastic surgery procedure to address the fullness of the lower cheeks, thus giving the face a chiseled face appearance.Lateral cheek augmentation with soft tissue fillers like voluma, could "lift" the early sagging tissues, thus improving the early jowl formation in patient candidates. Cheek implants could do the same, but requires longer recovery time.Patients interested in determine if candidates for plastic surgery improvement of jowls should make a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon specialized in plastic surgery of the face
John Mesa MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
New York City (#NYC) & New Jersey (#NJ)

Benjamin C. Paul, MD · Answer

Thanks for your questions and the photos. From the photos, it does not appear that you have excess buccal fat. There appears to be early descent and laxity accentuating the nasolabial fold and marionette lines.If you really bothered, you could consider micro-lift or pony-tail lift.  This is done with a small incision above the ear into the hair. This allows for a mostly vertical vector of pull to support cheeks and lower face. The tension is placed on the muscular layer beneath the skin so there is no tension on the skin. This keeps things natural.Best of luck.

Malik Kutty, MD · Answer

At 31 years old, your face hasn't had enough time to form what are referred to as jowls, which are caused by descent of the lower facial tissues past their usual position at the jawline. Your appearance can be greatly improved simply with liposuction of that lower facial area to make the jawline sharp. Removing the buccal fat pads would further improve the contour, but what you're pointing out is primarily lower facial fat.

Am I a candidate for Buccal fat removal, or are these jowls? 31 years old (photos)

Answers (3)

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